Utah is lucky to have so many national parks. In addition to the obvious conservation benefits, these parks provide recreation and additional income for many people. The history of the National Park Service – which today oversees nearly 450 natural, historical, recreational, and cultural areas – is quite fascinating. We at the Lodge at Red [...]

There are many wonderful places to visit in Southern Utah. Some are well known – such as Zion National Park – and some are local secrets. One of the places that most tourists never visit is Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. The Petrified Forest Located near the town of Escalante, in Garfield County. It encompasses [...]

Zion National Park protects 150,000 acres of possibly the most incredible landscape in the North America. Every year almost 3 million people come from all across the world just to see the park’s natural splendors. In this amazing place, how do you decide what to see when you visit? To point you in the right [...]

Guests often ask us at the Lodge at Red River Ranch to point out specific places in Southern Utah where movie productions have been filmed. Since Southern Utah has been the backdrop for over 100 major motion pictures, we thought we’d give you a list of some famous film location that you might recognize. This [...]

The flora and fauna of Wayne County add to the natural geological beauty of this land. Watching for the different native animals can provide additional entertainment for both adults and children. On your next road trip to Capitol Reef, we at the Lodge challenge you to watch for these animals – see how many you [...]

There are few things as fun as a whitewater expedition. And there are few rivers as fun as Utah rivers. Whatever type of rafting you prefer, you will find it in Utah. One of the rivers that we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch recommend is the San Juan River. Here’s a bit of [...]

Southern Utah is famous for many things – most notably for its landscape. However, one feature that is sometimes overlooked in Southern Utah is the quality of the night sky. Due to the high elevation, the lack of light pollution, and a smog free environment, Southern Utah is one of the best stargazing places in [...]

Cove Fort provides a glimpse into the lives of early pioneers; it preserves the history of the time period. As the early Mormon settlers moved into the Salt Lake valley, the then president of their church, Brigham Young, encouraged the colonization of the surrounding regions. Thus, Mormon pioneers founded most of the towns and cities [...]

Utah has come to be defined by its pioneer heritage, incredible ski slopes, and desert geology. But it also takes its place among the foremost pre-historical sites in the nation. Paleontology is the branch of science that deals with (and excavates) fossils. And Utah is a paleontologist’s playground. The most spectacular fossils are, without a [...]

Capitol Reef National Park will celebrate 75 years of conservation this August. In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt declared the Capitol Reef area a national monument. President Nixon subsequently changed the monument’s status to a national park in 1971. Since that time, Capitol Reef has welcomed millions of visitors to explore its beauty and its wonder. [...]